Energy Consultant Glossary

market insight

Below is our Energy Consultant Glossary of helpful terms, however if you require any further information then contact us direct on 01952 814079.

Annual Agreed Quantity (AAQ)
The annual volume of gas consumed, measured in Kilowatt hours (kWh).

Availability Charge
The charge for the amount of power made available to the clients premises. It is related to the agreed supply capacity. The distribution company sets the rate and it is expressed in kVA.

Available Supply Capacity (ASC)
The agreed maximum supply capacity, measured in kva, which a customer is allowed to take from the distribution system through their connection point. Customers pay a monthly charge for each unit of capacity. The maximum demand should not exceed the ASC.

Base Load
The minimum amount of electricity being used during non-operational hours.

Bearish
Believing that market prices are about to fall.

Bullish
Believing that market prices are about to rise.

Calorific Value
The ratio of energy to volume measured in mega joules per cubic meter (MJ/m).

Carbon Trust
An independent not-for-profit company set up by the government with support from business to encourage and promote the development of low carbon technologies. Key to this aim is its support for UK businesses in reducing carbon emissions through funding, supporting technological innovation and by encouraging more efficient working practices.

CCL Relief
Climate Change Levy (CCL)
A charge introduced by the Government on 1 April 2001 on UK non-domestic fuel. The Government’s aim when introducing the levy was to encourage business to use less energy, and contribute to the reduction of Carbon Dioxide emissions.

CO2
Carbon Dioxide - A Greenhouse gas.

Cogeneration
The simultaneous production of electricity and another form of useful energy (such as heat or steam) through the sequential use of energy, resulting In increased efficiency of fuel use.

Combined Heat & Power (CHP)
CHP is very efficient technology for generating electricity and heat together. A CHP plant is an installation where there is simultaneous generation of usable heat (normally for space heating) and power (usually electricity) in a single process. CHP typically achieves a 35-40% reduction in primary energy usage compared with power stations and heat only boilers.

Communication Charge
The monthly fee payable by a customer, which covers the collection of half hourly data by the meter operator. This can be billed direct by the MOP or passed on through the current supplier.

Connection Agreement
Agreement between client and the local distribution company setting out the terms and conditions with which each are bound concerning the provision and use of the connection.

Data Aggregator
The organisation appointed to aggregate the meter-reading data received from the appointed Data Collectors and forward it to suppliers.

Data Collector
The organisation responsible for collecting, processing and validating the meter reading data, who then passes the information to the Data Aggregator.

DEFRA
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Distribution System
The local wires, transformers, substations and other equipment used to distribute and deliver energy to consumers.

DUoS
(Distribution Use of System)

Firm Gas
Gas supplied to a customer on a guaranteed basis, without interruption.

Fossil Fuel
An energy source formed in the Earths crust from decayed organic material. The common fossil fuels are oil, coal, and natural gas.

Gas Substation
A pressure reduction station located on the customers’ premises where gas is reduced from mains pressure regulated at a medium or low pressure for domestic or industrial use.

Gigawatt (GW)
A unit of power equal to 1 billion watts; 1 million kilowatts, or 1,000 megawatts.

Gigawatt-hour (GWh)
A unit of energy equal to million kilowatt-hours.

Grid Supply Point
A point of supply from the national transmission system to the local system of the distribution network operator.

Half-Hour Data (HMD)
This is the product of the half-hour data meter. The data is used for invoicing, tendering and reporting purposes.

HV
High Voltage (Normally 11,000 Volts).

Interconnector
A connection or link between power systems that enables them to draw on each others’ reserve capacity in time of need

Interruptible Gas.
Gas supplied to a site with an alternative fuel source on the basis that the supply might be interrupted for a specified period.

Kilovolt Amperes (KVA)
The resultant effect of the active (kW) and reactive (kVAr) power is the total power measured in kVa. Kva = kW/power factor.

Kilowatt (kW)
A standard unit of electrical power equal to 1,000 watts,

Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
A unit of energy consumption.

Kyoto Agreement
An international Agreement signed by countries agreeing to limit or reduce their global emissions.

Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)
When natural gas is cooled to a temperature of approximately -160 degrees at atmospheric pressure, it condenses to a liquid called Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).

Load Factor
Measures the relationship between unit consumption and maximum demand and is the percentage capacity utilisation figure of a site’s power consumption. To calculate load factor take the total number of units of consumption, divide by the maximum demand, divide by the number of hours in the period, and multiply by 100.

LV
Low Voltage, normally at 240 or 415 Volts.

Maximum Demand
The highest average demand (in kW or kVA) occurring in a half hour period.

Megawatt (MW)
The equivalent to one thousand kilowatts (kW).

Meter Operator (MOP or MO)
The organisation appointed to install and maintain metering equipment.

Meter Point Reference Number
A unique reference number identifying each meter and used in the preparation of supply tenders.

MPAN Core
A 13-digit number (sometimes called the supply number) made up of the: Distributor Identifier , Meter Point unique reference which is linked to the supply address.

NHH
Non Half hourly sites - sites that take a power supply less than lOOkW.

Peak Demand
The maximum load during a specified period of time.

Power Factor
A Power Factor is a measure of how effectively electricity is being used on a site. Certain types of equipment cause poor power factors, which reduces the capacity of the network to supply power. Distribution companies will charge customers for this through reactive power charges.

Reactive Charges
Charges applied to a client’s invoice in cases where certain suppliers and distribution companies enforce a penalty for reactive power use.

Regulator
OFGEM is the Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets, regulating the gas and electricity Industries in the UK

Renewable Energy
Energy derived from resources that are regenerative. This includes solar power, wind, wave and tide and hydroelectricity.

Renewable Obligation
The obligation placed on licensed electricity suppliers to deliver a specified amount of their electricity from eligible sources.

SOQ
Supply Offtake (Daily) Quantity measures in kWh.

Standing Charge
A Monthly or quarterly charge levied by the local distribution company and collected via your energy supplier

Supply Agreement
A contract between a supplier and the customer to supply electricity at an agreed price and term.

Terawatt-hour (TWh)
The equivalent to one thousand gigawatt hours.

Therm
This is a unit of measurement for gas. 1 therm is equal to 29.3071kWh

TRIAD
Used for the calculation of TUoS Charges, the TRIAD is calculated by looking at the three maximum demand points (in kW) of the supply at half hourly time periods, and then averaging the total. The figures used are usually selected from winter months, and at peak times, as these periods are set to reflect the point at which the highest demand occurs on the National Grid.

TUoS (Transmission Use of System) The charges incurred for transmitting electricity across the National Grid network from the source of generation to the network of the local distribution company. The level of these charges is usually calculated by applying a rate charge to the TRIAD demand level.

Contact our Energy Saving Consultants today to see how we can save your Business money on Energy Costs.